Dodgers win NLCS, set up marquee World Series matchup vs. Yankees

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General manager Brandon Gomes, head of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, and the rest of the front office outlined their offseason strategy following the team’s second straight loss in the National League Division Series last year. They were aware that it would no longer be permissible to leave early in October. The Dodgers intended to be aggressive during the offseason to give themselves the best chance of that not occurring in 2024.

Signing Shohei Ohtani, a two-way superstar, was their top objective. The remainder of the Dodgers’ planned strategy came together flawlessly after they achieved their main objective. Ultimately, the Dodgers spent over $1 billion on contracts to land all of their main targets over the offseason.

The Dodgers created one of the greatest rosters in recent history while doing so. World Series or bust was the straightforward expectation for the 2024 season. The Dodgers advanced to the World Series for the 22nd time in their franchise’s history on Sunday, defeating the Mets 10–5 in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series at Dodger Stadium. This victory put them four wins away from reaching their ultimate objective.

In an interview on FS1, Mookie Betts stated, “Each [World Series appearance] is special, but this group of guys, I love these guys.” “I enjoy going to work each day. It’s enjoyable to fight. Simply put, being a Dodger is enjoyable. In an interview on FS1, Ohtani, via interpreter Will Ireton, stated: “It’s the place I’ve dreamed of all my life.” The next objective is to be able to make it to this point, play, and hopefully win.

Now, the Dodgers will play the AL champion Yankees, resulting in a World Series matchup between two titans that will start on Friday at Dodger Stadium. The two legendary teams will play each other in the Fall Classic for the twelfth time and for the first time since 1981. The Dodgers used a group of relievers to send them to the World Series despite having a roster full of superstars. The Dodgers played their third game from the bullpen as they didn’t have a fourth starter.

Without having a fourth starter, the Dodgers went to a bullpen game for the third time this postseason. The first one was spectacular. The second one wasn’t. But on the third try, the Dodgers’ bullpen came through, using seven pitchers to get the job done. The Dodgers’ bullpen navigated through a lot of traffic and allowed four runs over nine innings, but consistently made big pitches when they needed to, stranding 13 Mets baserunners.

The pitching performance was made easier by an offensive outburst by the star-studded lineup. Tommy Edman drove in four runs en route to winning NLCS MVP honors. Will Smith and Teoscar Hernández also delivered big hits throughout the night.

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